Government Pate encouraging Iowa colleges and university students to register to vote

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and representatives from Iowa colleges and universities are launching a new statewide voter registration initiative aimed at increasing voter participation among Iowa’s youth voters and building a tradition of civic engagement on campuses statewide. The Catt Collegiate Challenge, created and administered by the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office, will work with post-secondary institutions across the state to host voter registration drives and promote healthy competition among Iowa campuses.

Participating Iowa institutions are asked to collaborate with student groups, faculty, and administrators to organize voter registration drives, education events, and campus-wide engagement initiatives. Schools will track registration and turnout data in partnership with third-party organizations, and those that excel will be honored with a trophy and award presentation by Secretary Pate at the annual Voter Engagement Summit hosted in Des Moines.

The Catt Collegiate Challenge builds on Iowa’s award-winning Carrie Chapman Catt Award program, which recognizes Iowa high schools that register eligible students to vote. Both programs are named after Iowa’s legendary Carrie Chapman Catt, a key leader in the national suffrage movement from Charles City, Iowa.

As of the launch, 11 Iowa schools have pledged to participate. At a press conference on Monday, Secretary Pate and representatives from several of these schools joined Secretary Pate to celebrate the launch and its expected impact on Iowa college students.

“College and high school students have historically had low voter turnout, but I’m seeing a shift,” said Secretary Pate. “As I travel the state, I’ve met young leaders passionate about civic engagement. Programs like these empower students to inspire their peers and take the first step — registering to vote.”

“Coe College is committed to and active in civic engagement efforts on our campus. We are excited to be part of this challenge to continue to increase voter awareness and registration among our students,” said Barb Tupper, Associate Vice President of Advancement Coe College.

“Young people building a habit of voting brings them closer to the community, and we are the community’s college. Our students are going to be future leaders, they are going to be on school boards, business leaders, and this is preparing them to go down that path,” said Finn Kolsrud, Associate Professor of Sociology at Kirkwood Community College. “We’re thrilled to be taking part in the Catt Collegiate Challenge. It’s consistent with a lot of work we already do at Kirkwood, whether it be ongoing campus conversations about current issues, putting on voter registration drives, and other voter engagement events."

“The Catt Center proudly leads Iowa State’s voter engagement work,” said Karen Kedrowski, Director of the Catt Center and Co-Director of Cyclone Civics at Iowa State University. “We are delighted to participate in the Catt Collegiate Challenge.”

“It’s vitally important for our students to be knowledgeable about how to vote and how to actively participate in our civic process,” Myrna Hernandez, Chief of Staff to the President of Grinnell College. “Grinnell College is proud to partner with the state in this challenge to help our students be more informed about elections and the voting process.”

“UNI’s nonpartisan Panthers Vote program benefits students’ professional and civic development, enhances partnerships across campus and with the community, and ultimately benefits the civic life of all Iowans,” said Allison Rank, Director of the Center for Civic Education at the University of Northern Iowa.

“We are seeing a problem nationally getting young people engaged, and I think the Catt Collegiate Challenge could be something major for our campus,” said Maddison Cunnigham, senior at Grandview University. “Having something like this Challenge available to provide important voting information, like why you should vote, how to register, and how to cast an absentee ballot, can make a huge difference. When you’re at the college level, you’re an adult; you should be able to actively and knowledgeably engage in your community.”

Iowa State student Quinn Margrett also attended the press conference to encourage his peers to step up and register to vote.

“This new program encourages campuses to host voter registration drives, promote nonpartisan civic education, and foster cultures of civic engagement,” said Margrett.  “Having worked elections, registered students to vote, and witnessed firsthand the unique barriers to civic participation that students face, I stand behind any efforts to provide students with the resources they need to translate passion into participation, and I can’t think of a more fitting namesake on which to base such a program.”

At the launch of the Catt Collegiate Challenge, ten schools have pledged to participate:

• Coe College
• Cornell College
• Grand View University
• Grinnell College
• Iowa State University
• Kirkwood Community College
• Loras College
• Luther College
• Northeast Iowa Community College
• University of Dubuque
• University of Northern Iowa